Vitamin D3 analogs

Abstract

 Compounds of the formula

wherein R is hydrogen, hydroxy, or fluorine, X is H₂ or = CH₂, and the 23,24-double bond is E or Z, are useful as agents for the treatment of hyperproliferative disorders of the skin such as psoriasis, as agents for the treatment of tumors such as breast cancer, as agents for the treatment of neoplastic diseases such as leukemia, and as agents for the treatment of sebaceous gland diseases such as acne and seborrheic dermatitis.
They are prepared by removing the silyl protecting groups from corresponding compounds with silyl protected hydoxy groups.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to compounds of the formula

wherein R is hydrogen, hydroxy or fluorine, X is H₂ or = CH₂ and the 23,24-double bond is E or Z. They are useful as agents for the treatment of hyperproliferative skin diseases, such as psoriasis; for the treatment and prevention of neoplastic, diseases, such as leukemia; for the treatment and prevention of tumors; and for the treatment of sebaceous gland diseases, such as, acne and seborrheic dermatitis.

[0002] The compounds of formula I are highly potent in stimulating differentiation and decreasing proliferation of human keratinocytes. Accordingly, they are useful as agents in the treatment of hyperproliferative skin diseases or disorders, such as psoriasis, basal cell carcinomas, disorders of keratinization, and keratosis. They are also useful as agents in the prevention and treatment of neoplastic diseases such as leukemia. In addition, they are antitumor agents, capable of treating and preventing tumors, such as breast tumors. The compounds of formula I are also useful for the treatment of sebaceous gland diseases, such as, acne and seborrheic dermatitis.

[0003] The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a compound of formula I, or an effective amount of a mixture of two or more compounds of formula I, as well as to the use of the compounds of formula I for the manufacture of medicaments for the treatment and prevention of the diseases indicated above.

[0004] Exemplary compounds of formula I of the invention are:

26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro-1 a,25-dihydroxy-16,23E-diene-cholecalciferol;

26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro-25-hydroxy-1 6,23E-diene-cholecalciferol;

26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro-1α-fluoro-25-hydroxy-16,23E-diene-cholecalciferol;

26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro-1α,25-dihydroxy-16,23E-diene-19-nor-cholecalciferol;

26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro-1α,25-dihydroxy-16,23Z-diene-cholecalciferol;

26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro-25-hydroxy-16,23Z-diene-cholecalciferol;

26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro-1α-fluoro-25-hydroxy-16,23Z-diene-cholecalciferol;

26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro-1α,25-dihydroxy-16,23Z-diene-19-nor-cholecalciferol.

In the compound of formula I, R is preferably hydroxy or fluorine.

[0005] Preferred compounds of formula I are:

26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro-1α,25-dihydroxy-16,23E-diene-cholecalciferol;

26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro-1a-fluoro-25-hydroxy-16,23E-diene-cholecalciferol; and

26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro-1a,25-dihydroxy-16,23E-diene-19-nor cholecalciferol.

[0006] The compounds of formula I are prepared as hereafter described, with particular reference to the Formula Schemes below, by removing the silyl protecting groups from corresponding compounds with silyl protected hydroxy groups.

[0007] In above Formula Scheme I, the compound of formula II, a known compound, is converted to the trans analog of the compound of formula III by reaction with a reducing agent such as lithium aluminum hydride in the presence of a base, such as sodium methoxide. The reaction is conducted in an ether solvent such as tetrahydrofuran at about 0°C to about 100°C. The compound of formula II is converted to the cis analog of the compound of formula III by hydrogenation with Lindlar catalyst in the solvent mixture of ethyl acetate, hexane and ethanol.

[0008] The cis or trans analog of the compound of formula III is reacted with pyridinium chlorochromate in a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent such as methylene chloride at room temperature to give the cis or trans analog of the compound of formula IV, respectively.

[0009] The trans analog of the compound of formula IV is reacted with n-butyllithium and the compound of formula V or VI in a mixture of hexane and tetrahydrofuran at a temperature of -75 _° C to give a compound of formula la, a trans compound, after removal of silyl protecting groups with tetrabutylammonium fluoride in tetrahydrofuran solvent.

[0010] In formula Scheme II, the compound of formula IV, in which the 23,24 double bond is either E or Z, is reacted with trimethylsilyl imidazole in methylene chloride at room temperature to give the compound of formula VII, in which the 23,24 double bond is either E or Z, respectively.

[0011] The cis or trans compound of formula VII is reacted with n-butyllithium and the compound of formula VIII, a known compound, in a mixture of hexane and tetrahydrofuran solvent at a temperature of -75°C to give the cis or trans compound of formula Ic or Id, respectively, after removal of the silyl protecting group with tetrabutylammonium fluoride in tetrahydrofuran solvent.

[0012] In Formula Scheme III, the cis analog of the compound of formula VII is reacted with n-butyllithium and the compound of formula V in a mixture of hexane and tetrahydrofuran solvent at a temperature of -75 _° C to give the compound of formula le or If, the cis analog of the compound of formula la or Ib, respectively after removal of the silyl protecting groups with tetrabutylammonium fluoride in tetrahydrofuran solvent.

[0013] The compounds of formula I as described above can be administered orally, for the treatment of neoplastic diseases such as leukemia, and for the treatment of tumors such as breast cancer, cervical cancer and melanoma, to a host which needs such treatment. More specifically, the compounds of formula I as described above can be administered orally to a human in dosages that are in the range of about 0.1 to 100 I1.g per day for the treatment of neoplastic diseases such as leukemia, and for the treatment of tumors such as breast cancer, cervical cancer and melanoma.

[0014] The compounds of formula I as described above, can be administered orally in an effective amount, for the treatment of hyperproliferative skin diseases such as psoriasis, basal cell carcinomas, disorders of keratinization, and keratosis, to hosts which need such treatment. Preferably, the compounds of formula I as described above can be administered orally to a human in dosages that are in the range of about 0.001 to 100 µg per day for the treatment of hyperproliferative skin diseases such as psoriasis, basal cell carcinomas, disorders of keratinization, and keratosis.

[0015] The compounds of formula I, as described above, can be administered topically in an effective amount, for the treatment of hyperproliferative skin diseases such as psoriasis, basal cell carcinomas, disorders of keratinization, and keratosis, to hosts which need such treatment. Preferably, the compounds of formula I as described above can be administered topically to a human in dosages that are in the range of about 0.01 to about 100 µg per gram of topical formulation per day, for the treatment of hyperproliferative skin diseases such as psoriasis, basal cell carcinomas, disorders of keratinization, and keratosis.

[0016] The compounds of formula I, as described above, can be administered topically in an effective amount, for the treatment of sebaceous gland diseases, such as acne and seborrheic dermatitis, to a host in need of such treatment. Preferably, the compounds of formula I, as described above, can be administered topically to a human in dosages that are in the range of about 0.1 to about 1000 µg per gram of topical formulation per day, for the treatment of sebaceous gland diseases, such as, acne and seborrheic dermatitis.

[0017] The compounds of formula I as described above, can be administered orally in an effective amount, for the treatment of sebaceous gland diseases such as acne and seborrheic dermatitis to a host requiring such treatment. Preferably, the compounds of formula I, as described above, can be administered orally to a human in dosages that are in the range of about .07 µg to 770 µg per day, more preferably in the range of about .7 µg to 70 µg per day for the treatment of sebaceous gland diseases, such as acne.

[0018] The useful activity of compounds of formula I as agents for the treatment of tumors, particularly breast tumors, can be demonstrated by the following test procedures which are known in the art. TETRAZOLIUM BASED MITT ASSAY: T47-O (breast ductal carcinoma) cells were grown in RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with 10 µg/ml bovine insulin and 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS).

[0019] MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma) cells were grown in MEM (Eagle) supplemented with non-essential amino acids, 1 mM sodium pyruvate, and 10 µg/ml bovine insulin, 10% FBS.

[0020] Cells were grown in appropriate medium to late log phase (about 80% confluency). T47-O or MCF-7 cells were then trypsinized and seeded at 4,000 or 2,000 cells/well, respectively.

[0021] At 24 hours post seeding, serial dilutions of ethanol-solubilized drugs are prepared in the same medium and added to triplicate wells at a final concentration of 1,000 to 0.1 nM and 0.1% ethanol. On days 3 to 7 post drug addition, 50 µl of a 5 mg/ml MTT solution [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide in phosphate-buffered saline] is added to each well and incubation is continued at 37 _° C for 2.5 hours. The plates are then spun briefly by centrifugation at 800 xg for 5 minutes, medium is aspirated from wells, and 50 µl ETOH/well is added to dissolve the formazan formed during the incubation period with MTT. After a 15 minute shaking, the optical density is determined for each well in an automatic plate reader at 570 and 660 nm. Percent inhibition of cell growth is calculated by comparing optical densities of cells treated with test compounds to those of cells treated only with 0.1% ethanol. IC₅₀ values are determined based on the Reed and Muench formula (Am. J. Hyg. 27:493-497 1938) and the results of two independent experiments are presented below:

[0022] The data shows antiproliferative activity of the test compounds in human breast carcinoma cell lines.

[0023] The useful activity of compounds of formula I as agents for the treatment of hyperproliferative skin diseases can be demonstrated by the following test procedures which are known in the art, and which are also set forth in Holick et al., The Society for Investigative Dermatology, p. 708-714(1986).

Human Keratinocyte Antiproliferative Assay

[0024] Cells: Primary or passage 1 subconfluent cultures of human neonatal keratinocytes were grown in Keratinocyte Growth Media@ (KGM@ modified MCDB 153, Clonetics, Inc. Catalog # CC3001) supplemented with antibiotics or calcium chloride as needed. Cultures were obtained from neonatal foreskin epithelial keratinocytes using standard procedures.

[0025] Culture Conditions: Human neonatal foreskins were collected by circumcision and placed into tubes containing Dulbecco's minimum essential Media (DMEM) with 10% serum. Upon arrival at the laboratory, they were mechanically trimmed of excess dermis, and treated with a solution of trypsin/ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) (0.05%/0.02%) at 4°C overnight. The epidermis was stripped from the dermis, agitated in buffered saline to remove basal keratinocytes and the stratum corneum later removed. The separated cells were centrifuged, resuspended in media, counted, and the cells plated onto plastic culture dishes or plates at 2,500 cells/cm² in KGM media according to protocols developed by Boyce and Ham, In Vitro Models for Cancer Research III, 246-274, (1986) for MCDB 153 media. The cultures are incubated in humidified chambers with 5% C0₂ at 37 °C with refeeding fresh media 2 to 3 times per week. Prior to reaching confluency, the cells are replated (called passage 1) at 25,000 cells/well on 6-well cluster plates in KGM.

[0026] Antiproliferation Assay Protocol: Approximately twenty-four hours after passage, the cells were refed with fresh KGM media supplemented to 1.5 mM CaC1₂ that contains test compound or vehicle. Solutions of test compounds were prepared as follows: 1 milligram quantities were received in amber glass vials and stored at -20 _° C. Sufficient 100% ethanol was added directly to vials to obtain a millimolar solution that was subsequently aliquoted into small amber vials, overlayed with argon gas and stored at -20 _° C. Each stock solution was thawed once, used and discarded. Stock solutions were used within 4 to 6 weeks. Aliquots from the stock solution were diluted directly into medium and then serially diluted from micromolar to picomolar concentrations. Compounds were typically tested at four concentrations in triplicate wells. Control wells are supplemented with vehicle alone at the highest concentration such as 0.1% ethanol. At the termination of the experiment prior to the cultures reaching confluency, the cells were enumerated by the following procedure. Dishes were washed with phosphate buffered saline, and then incubated with try- psin/EDTA solution for 30 minutes. Cells were suspended and an aliquot placed into isotonic buffered saline and counted on an electronic particle counter. The counter was periodically calibrated for the correct size of keratinocytes. Each well was counted in triplicate. The number of cell/dish was calculated according to dilution factors used and results are presented as percent inhibition from cell numbers obtained in control cultures. The results are set forth in Table II.

1,25-dihydroxy-cholecalciferol exhibited an average ED₅₀ (Dose that would obtain 50% of the number of cells as compared to the control) = 300 nM. 1a, 25-dihydroxy-16,23E-diene-26,27-hexafluoro-cholecalciferol exhibited an average ED₅₀ of 2 nM.

[0027] The useful activity of compounds of formula I as agents for the treatment of neoplastic diseases, such as leukemia, can be demonstrated by the following test procedures.

[0028] HL-60 Differentiation Assay: The HL-60 tumor cell line was originally derived from a patient with promyleocytic leukemia and purchased from American Type Culture Collection (ATCC CCL240). The cells are maintained in suspension using the media RPMI 1640 (Gibco catalog # 320-1875) supplemented with glutamine, antibiotics and 20% heat inactivated fetal bovine serum (FBS). For experimentation, cells were seeded at 0.9 x 10⁶ cells per 25cm² flask in medium supplemented with 0.25mM sodium ascorbate. Compounds were added for a total of four days and were typically tested at five concentrations in duplicate flasks. All compounds were handled in the following manner. Stock solutions were made of 10-³M solutions in ethanol and stored in amber vials overlaid with argon at -20 _° C. Stock solutions were diluted into medium at concentrations indicated. All flasks were supplemented with vehicle at a concentration of 0.1% ethanol. Control flasks were supplemented with vehicle alone at a concentration of 0.1% ethanol. Flasks were incubated upright for 4 days in 5% C0₂ at 37 °C. On day 4, a 1 ml aliquot of cells was removed from the flasks, centrifuged for about 10 minutes, the media removed and the cells resuspended in a 0.2 ml of solution of nitroblue tetrazolium/phorbol 12 myristate 13-acetate (NBT/TPA) in media prepared on the day of enumeration as follows. Nitroblue tetrazolium was dissolved in media at 1 mg/ml. To this solution was added TPA to a final concentration of 100 ng/ml. This solution was kept in a covered vial on ice. The cells were suspended and incubated at 37 °C for 30 min. prior to transferring to ice. An aliquot was removed and the cells are counted using a hemocytometer. Cells without pigmented granules are judged to be undifferentiated while those containing blue black formazan (indicating conversion of NBT) granules were scored as differentiated. Results are expressed as percent differentiated cells by calculating the ratio of the number of dark cells per total number of cells counted. The results are set forth below in Table III.

[0029] 

[0030] The useful activity of compounds of formula I as agents for the treatment of sebaceous gland diseases, such as acne and seborrheic dermatitis, can be demonstrated by the following test procedure.

[0031] Sebaceous cells were isolated from adult human sebaceous glands, derived from facial skin removed during cosmetic surgery. This method is described in an article by Doran et al. in J. Invest. Dermatol. 96:341-348 (1991). The cells were cultured in a medium containing 10% fetal calf serum and 4 /1.g/ml dexamethasone on a layer of growth-arrested 3T3 mouse fibroblasts.

[0032] Cells were plated in medium without the test compound and then given the compound in fresh medium 24-48 hours after the initial plating. The cultures were given fresh medium, containing the test compound, every 48 hours. On the day of harvesting, the cultures were rinsed with 0.03% ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), to remove only the 3T3 fibroblasts. The remaining sebocyte colonies were incubated in 0.05% trypsin/0.03% EDTA to create a single cell suspension of sebocytes. The cells were diluted, mixed vigorously to maintain a single cell suspension, and counted in a hemocytometer.

[0033] All compounds were handled in the following manner. Stock solutions were made up as 10-² M solutions in degassed 100% ethanol and stored at -20 °C in the dark. Solutions were never used after storage of more than a month. During experimental use the solutions, which had been aliquoted, were thawed once and used by diluting directly into complete medium to the appropriate concentration.

[0034] The compounds were tested for the inhibition of proliferation of sebaceous cells in vitro at the following concentrations:

10-⁹, 10-⁸, 10-⁷ and 10-⁶ M. The results are summarized in Table IV below as the amount of compound necessary to inhibit the proliferation of the sebaceous cells by 50% (ED_so) in µM as compared to a control, vehicle treated only, culture.

[0035] Oral dosage forms comprising compounds of formula I of the invention may be incorporated in capsules, tablets and the like with pharmaceutically acceptable carrier materials. Illustrative of the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier materials which may be incorporated into capsules, and the like are the following: a binder such as gum tragacanth, acacia, corn starch, or gelatin; an excipient such as dicalcium phosphate, a disintegrating agent such as corn starch, potato starch, algenic acid, and the like; a lubricant such as magnesium stearate, a sweetening agent such as sucrose, lactose, or saccharin; a flavoring agent such as peppermint, oil of wintergreen or cherry. Various other materials may be present as coating or to otherwise modify the physical form of the dosage unit. For instance, tablets may be coated with shellac, sugar, or both. A syrup or elixir may contain the active compound, sucrose as a sweetening agent, methyl and propyl parabens as preservatives, a dye, and a flavoring such as cherry or orange flavor.

[0036] Topical dosage forms comprising compounds of formula I of the invention include: ointments and creams encompassing formulations having oleaginous, adsorbable, water-soluble and emulsion-type bases such as petrolatum, lanolin, polyethylene glycols and the like. Lotions are liquid preparations and vary from simple solutions to aqueous or hydroalcoholic preparations containing finely divided substances. Lotions can contain suspending or dispersing agents, for example, cellulose derivatives such as ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, and the like; gelatin or gums, which incorporate the active ingredient in a vehicle made up of water, alcohol, glycerin and the like. Gels are semi-solid preparations made by gelling a solution or suspension of the active ingredient in a carrier vehicle. The vehicles, which can be hydrous or anhydrous, are gelled using a gelling agent, such as, carboxy polymethylene, and neutralized to a proper gel consistency with the use of alkalies, such as, sodium hydroxide and amines, such as, polyethylenecocoamine. As used herein, the term "topical" denotes the use of the active ingredient, incorporated in a suitable pharmaceutical carrier, and applied at the site of the inflammation for the exertion of local action. Accordingly, the topical compositions include those pharmaceutical forms in which the compound is applied externally by direct contact with the skin. The topical dosage forms comprise gels, creams, lotions, ointments, powders, aerosols and other conventional forms for applying medication to the skin obtained by admixing the compounds of formula I with known pharmaceutical topical carrier materials. In addition to application to the skin, the topical compositions of this invention can also be employed in the treatment of inflammations of mucous membranes, where such membranes are accessible to topical application of medication. For example, the topical composition can be applied to the mucous lining of the mouth or lower colon.

Example 1

[3aR-[1 (R*),3aα,4β,7aβ]]-3,3a,5,6,7,7a-Hexahydro-7a-methyl-1-[6,6,6-trifluoro-5-hydrozy-1-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-3E-hexenyl]-4H-inden-4-ol

[0037] In a flask was placed 148 mg of lithium aluminum hydride and 6 ml of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran. To this stirred suspension was added 211 mg of sodium methoxide under argon. The resulting mixture was cooled in an ice bath to 0 _° C, and then a solution of 300 mg of [3aR-[1(R*),3aα,4β,7aβ]]-3,3a,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-7a-methyl-1-[6,6,6-trifluoro-5-hydroxy-1-methyl-5(trifluoromethyl)-3-hexynyl]-4H-inden-4-ol in 10 ml of tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise. After the addition was completed, the reaction mixture was heated at reflux for 2 and 3/4 hours, that was followed by stirring overnight at room temperature. After the addition of 5 ml of ether, the reaction mixture was cooled in an ice bath and hydrolyzed by the addition of 0.5 ml of water and 0.5 ml of 10% sodium hydroxide solution. After warm-up to room temperature, crystalline sodium sulfate and magnesium sulfate were added and the reaction mixture was filtered and the solid on the filter was washed with ethyl acetate. The combined filtrates were evaporated to dryness. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel column with hexane-ethyl acetate 3:1. It gave 275 mg of the title compound. ¹ H-NMR (CDCI₃): dO.98 (d, J=6Hz, 3H), 0.99 (s, 3H), 4.17 (s, 1H), 5.33 (bs, 1 H), 5.57 (d, J = 16Hz, 1 H), 6.22 (dt, J = 7 and 16Hz, 1 H).

Example 2

[3aR-[1 (R*),3aα,7aβ]]-3,3a,5,6,7,7a-Hexahydro-7a-methyl-1-[6,6,6-trifluoro-5-hydroxy-1-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-3E-hexenyl]-4H-inden-4-one

[0038] A solution of 267 mg of [3aR-[1(R*),3aα,4β,7aβ]]-3,3a,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-7a-methyl-1-[6,6,6-trifluoro-5-hydroxy-1-methyl-5(trifluoromethyl)-3E-hexynyl]-4H-inden-4-ol in 8 ml anhydrous methylene chloride was treated with 830 mg of pyridinium dichromate and 42 mg of pyridinium-p-toluenesulfonate. The mixture was stirred for 2 hours, then additional 260 mg of pyridinium dichromate and 13 mg of pyridinium-p-toluenesulfonate was added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 1 and 1/2 hours more. At that time 20 ml of ether was added and the mixture was stirred for 20 minutes, filtered and the solid on the filter was washed with ether. The combined filtrates were washed with ice-cold 40 ml 1N HCI, water, 50 ml 2N KHC0₃ and with water-brine. The aqueous layers were back-washed with ether-ethyl acetate 1:1. The organic layers were dried and evaporated. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with hexane-ethyl acetate 3:1 to give 233 mg of the title compound. ¹H-NMR(CDCl₃):d 0.80(s,3H), 1.08 (d, J = 6Hz, 3H), 2.84 (dd, J = 6 and 11 Hz, 1 H), 5.32 (bs, 1 H), 5.58 (d, J = 16Hz, 1 H), 6.22 (dt, J = 7 and 16Hz, 1 H).

Example 3

[3aR-[1 (R*),3aα,7aβ]]-3,3a,5,6,7,7a-Hexahydro-7a-methyl-1-[6,6,6-trifluoro-5-trimethylsilyloxy-1-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-3E-hexenyl]-4H-inden-4-one

[0039] A solution of 426 mg of [3aR-[1(R*),3aα,7aβ]]-3,3a,5, 6,7,7a-hexahydro-7a-methyl-1-[6,6,6-trifluoro-5-hydroxy-1-methyl-5(trifluoromethyl)-3E-hexenyl]-4H-inden-4-one in 8 ml of anhydrous methylene chloride was treated with 1.2 ml of trimethylsilyl imidazole. The solution was stirred for 17 hours under argon. 5 ml of water was added and stirred for 20 minutes, and then extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water-brine, dried and evaporated to dryness. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with hexane-ethyl acetate 12:1, to give 462 mg of the title compound.

Example 4

1,25-Dihydroxy-l 6,23E-diene-26,27-hexafluorocholecalciferol

[0040] A solution of 2.04 g of [3S-(3a, 5β,Z)]-2-[2-[2-methylene-3,5-bis[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-cyclohexylidene]ethyl]diphenyl phosphine oxide in 20 ml of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was cooled in a dry ice bath to -78 °C, to which was added 2.19 ml of n-butyl lithium as 1.6M solution in hexane dropwise under argon. After stirring for 5 minutes, 540 mg of [3aR-[1(R*),3aα,7aβ]]-3,3a,5,6,7, 7a-hexahydro-7a-methyl-1-[6,6,6-trifluoro-5-hydroxy-1-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-3E-hexenyl]-4H-inden-4-one in 7ml of tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise, and the reaction mixture was stirred for two hours. After the addition of 15 ml of a 1:1 mixture of 2N Rochelle salt and 2N KHC0₃ solution, the reaction was let to come to room temperature. After another 30 ml of Rochelle salt/KHC0₃ mixture was added, it was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried and evaporated to dryness. 2.4 g of crude product was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with hexane-ethyl acetate (8:1) to give 410 mg of 1, 3 disilyloxy intermediate. To the solution of this intermediate in 5 ml anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was added 4.5 ml of 1 N tetrabutylammonium fluoride in tetrahydrofuran under argon and stirred for 18 hours at room temperature. After additional 2.5 ml of tetrabutylammonium fluoride was added, the stirring was continued for 22 hours. 5 ml of water was added, stirred 20 minutes, 25 ml of brine was added and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water-brine, dried and evaporated to dryness. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with hexane-ethyl acetate (1:3) to give 270 mg of the title compound as white foam. [a]_D²⁵ + 24 (c 0.2%, EtOH); UV_λmax (EtOH): 204 nm (_E18200), 262-263 nm (_E15900); 1 H-NMR (CDCl₃): 6 0.68 (s, 3H), 1.04 (d, J=6.5Hz, 3H), 2.61 (dd, J = and 13 Hz, 1 H), 2.83 (dd, J = 4.5 and 12 Hz, 1 H), 4.24 (bs, 1 H), 4.45 (bs, 1 H), 5.02 (s, 1 H), 5.34 (bs, 2H), 5.58 (d, J = 15.5 Hz, 1 H), 6.11 (d, J = 11.5 Hz, 1 H), 6.23 (dt, J = 7 and 15.5Hz, 1 H), 6.37 (d, J = 11.5 Hz, 1 H). Analysis: Calcd for C₂₇H₃₄F₆O₃: C 62.30, H 6.58; Found: C 62.55, H 6.70.

Example 5

25-hydroxy-1 6,23E-diene-26,27-hexafluorocholecalciferol

[0041] The title compound can be obtained by the same procedure described in the Example 4 when [3S-(3α,5β,Z)]-2-[2-[2-methylene-5-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]cyclohexylidene]ethyl]diphenyl phosphine oxide is used as the A-ring precursor instead of [3S-(3α,5β,Z)]-2-[2-[2-methylene-3,5-bis[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]cyclohexylidene]ethyl]diphenyl phosphine oxide.

Example 6

1 a-Fluoro-25-hydroxy-16,23E-diene-26,27-hexafluorocholecalciferol

[0042] A solution of 490 mg of [3S-(3α,5β,Z)]-2-[2-[2-methylene-3-fluoro-5-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]-oxy]cyclohexylidene]ethyl]diphenyl phosphine oxide in 6 ml of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was cooled in dry ice bath to -78 °C, and then was added 0.65 ml of n-butyllithium as 1.6M solution in hexane dropwise under argon. After stirring for 5 minutes, a solution of 290 mg of [3aR-[R*),3aα,7aβ]]-3,3a,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-7a-methyl-1-[6,6,6-trifluoro-5-trimethylsilyloxy-1-methyl-5(trifluoromethyl)-3E-hexenyl]-4H-inden-4-one in 4.5 ml of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred for one hour and 50 minutes at -78 °C, and then quenched by the addition of 10 ml of a 1:1 mixture of 2N Rochelle salt and 2N KHC0₃ solutions. After the warm-up to room temperature, additional 3 ml of the Rochelle salt/KHC0₃ were added, and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layers were washed with brine, dried and evaporated to dryness. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with hexane-ethyl acetate 20:1, to give 260 mg of amorphous disilylated intermediate. To the solution of 260 mg of disilylated intermediate in 4 ml of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was added 3.5 ml of a 1 M tetrabutylammonium fluoride in tetrahydrofuran under argon. The resulting solution was stirred for 23 hours. After the addition of 5 ml of water, and stirring for 20 minutes, 25 ml of brine was added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layers were washed with water-brine, dried and evaporated to dryness. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with hexane-ethyl acetate 2:1, and HPLC on a silica column with hexane-ethyl acetate 3:2, to give 140 mg of amorphous title compound. [a]8⁵ + 22° (c 0.2,EtOH); UV(EtOH)_λmax:24nm (_E13600),267/268 nm(_E13350); ¹H-NMR (CDCI₃): 6 0.69 (s, 3H), 1.04 (d, J = 6.5Hz,3H), 2.63 (dd, J = 3 and 13.5 Hz, 1 H), 4.23 (bs, 1 H), 5.12 (s, 1 H), 5.16 (ddd, J = 50, 5 and 7 Hz, 1 H), 5.34 (s, 1 H), 5.41 (s, 1 H), 5.58 (d, J = 15.5 Hz, 1 H), 6.12 (d, J=11.5 Hz, 1 H), 6.23 (dt, J = 15.5 and 7 Hz, 1H), 6.40 (d, J=11.5 Hz, 1H). Analysis: Calcd for C₂₇H₃₃F₇O₂: C 62.06, H 6.37; Found: C 61.59, H 5.89.

Example 7

1,25-Dihydroxy-16,23E-diene-26,27-hexafluoro-19-nor-cholecalciferol

[0043] A solution of 854 mg of [3R-(3a, 5β,Z)-3, 5-bis[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]cyclohexylidene]-ethyl]diphenyl phosphine oxide in 9 ml of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was cooled in a dry ice bath to -78 °C and was then treated with 0.937 ml of n-butyllithium as a 1.6M solution in hexane, dropwise under argon. After stirring for 5 minutes, the reaction mixture was treated with a solution of 414 mg of [3aR-[1(R*),3aα, 7aβ]]-3,3a,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-7a-methyl-1-[6,6,6-trifluoro-5-trimethylsilyloxy-1-methyl-5(trifluoromethyl)-3E-hexenyl]-4H-inden-4-one in 5 ml of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran, dropwise over 10 minutes. The reaction mixture was then stirred at -78 °C for one hour and 45 minutes, quenched by the addition of 15 ml of 1:1 mixture of 2N Rochelle salt and 2N KHC0₃ solutions and allowed to warm up to room temperature. Additional 30 ml of the Rochelle salt/KHC0₃ mixture was added and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layers were washed with brine, dried and evaporated to dryness. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with hexane-ethyl acetate 1:3 to give 430 mg of trisilylated intermediate. To the solution of this intermediate in 4.5 ml of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was added 4.5 ml of a 1M tetrabutylammonium fluoride in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran under argon. After stirring 24 hours, an additional 2.5 ml of tetrabutylammonium fluoride was added, and the reaction was stirred 23 hours. 5 ml water was added, stirred 20 minutes, 25 ml brine was added and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layers were washed with a water-brine mixture, dried and evaporated to dryness. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with hexane-ethyl acetate 1:4, and by HPLC on a silica column with hexane-ethylacetate 1:8. It gave 260 mg of amorphous title compound; [a]_D²⁵ + 23.5 (c 2,EtOH); UV-(EtOH)_xmax:sh234/235 nm(_E20,600); 242 nm(_E29,100), 250/251 nm(_E34,100), 260 nm(_E22,750); ¹H-NMR-(CDCl₃):δ0.68(s,3H), 1.05(d, J=6.5 Hz, 3H), 2.49(dd, J=2 and 12 Hz,1H), 2.77(J=3 and 12 Hz, 1H), 2.80-(dd, J = 4 and 12 Hz, 1 H), 4.06 (m, 1 H), 4.13(m, 1 H), 5.35(s, 1 H), 5.58(d, J = 16 Hz, 1 H), 5.95 (f, J = 11 Hz, 1 H), 6.23(dt, J = 7 and 16 Hz, 1 H), 6.31 (d, J = 11 Hz, 1 H).

Example 8

[3aR-[1 (R*),3aα,4β,7aβ]]-3,3a,5,6,7,7a-Hexahydro-7a-methyl-1-[6,6,6-trifluoro-5-hydroxy-1-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-3Z-hexenyl]-4H-inden-4-ol

[0044] A mixture of 1.6g of [3aR-[1(R*),3aα, 4β, 7aβ]]-3,3a,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-7a-methyl-1-[6,6,6-trifluoro-5-hydroxy-1-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-3-hexynyl]-4H-inden-4-ol, 16 ml ethylacetate, 40 ml hexane, 1.6 ml absolute ethanol, 80 µl quinoline and 320 mg Lindlar catalyst was stirred under hydrogen atmosphere for 70 min. The reaction mixture was filtered and washed with ethyl acetate. The filtrate was washed with 1N HCI and a mixture of water and brine. The aqueous layers were extracted with ethyl acetate, and the combined organic layers were dried and evaporated to dryness. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel and HPLC with hexane-ethyl acetate 3:1, to give 1.58 of amorphous title compound.

Example 9

[3aR-[1 (R*),3aα,7aβ]]-3,3a,5,6,7,7a-Hexahydro-7a-methyl-1-[6,6,6-trifluoro-5-hydroxy-1-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-3Z-hexenyl]-4H-inden-4-one

[0045] Using the same procedure as described in Example 2, but starting with [3aR-[1 (R^*),3aa, 4β, 7aβ]]-3,3a,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-7a-methyl-1-[6,6,6-trifluoro-5-hydroxy-1-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-3Z-hexenyl]-4H-inden-4-ol instead the corresponding trans analog, the oxidation gave the title compound as an amorphous solid.

Example 10

[3aR-[1 (R*),3aα,7aβ]]-3,3a,5,6,7,7a-Hexahydro-7a-methyl-1-[6,6,6-trifluoro-5-trimethylsilyloxy-1-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-3Z-hexenyl]-4H-inden-4-one

[0046] Using the same procedure as described in example 3, but starting with [3aR-[1(R^*),3aa, 7aβ]]-3,3a,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-7a-methyl-1-[6,6,6-trifluoro-5-hydroxy-1-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-3Z-hexenyl]-4H-inden-4-one instead the corresponding trans analog, the reaction gave the title compound as an amorphous solid.

Example 11

1,25-Dihydroxy-16,23Z-diene-26,27-hexafluoro-19-nor-cholecalciferol

[0047] Using the same procedure as described in the example 7, but starting with [3aR-[1 (R^*),3aa, 7aβ]]-3,3a,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-7a-methyl-1-[6,6,6-trifluoro-5-trimethylsilyloxy-1-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-3Z-hexenyl]-4H-inden-4-one instead the corresponding trans analog, the reaction sequence gave the title compound.

Example 12

1,25-Dihydroxy-16,23Z-diene-26,27-hexafluoro-cholecalciferol

[0048] A solution of 552 mg of [3S(3a, 5β,Z)]-2-[2-[2-methylene-3,5-bis[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-cyclohexylidene]ethyl]diphenyl phosphine oxide in 6 ml of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was cooled to -78°C and treated with 0.578 ml of a 1.6M solution of n-butyl lithium in hexane dropwise under argon. After stirring for a few minutes, the red solution was treated with a solution of 256 mg of [3aR-[1(R^*),3aa, 7aβ]]-3,3a,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-7a-methyl-1-[6,6,6-trifluoro-5-trimethylsilyloxy-1-methyl-5-(trifluoro-methyl)-3Z-hexenyl]-4H-inden-4-one in 4.5 ml of anhydrous tetra-hydrofuran dropwise over a 10 minute period. The reaction was stirred at -78 °C for 90 minutes and then quenched by addition of 10 ml of a 1:1 mixture of 2N Rochelle salt and 2N KHC0₃ solutions and allowed to warm up to room temperature. After addition of 25 ml more of the Rochelle salt/KHC0₃ solution, the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate.The organic layers were washed with water-brine mixture, dried and evaporated to dryness. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with hexane-ethyl acetate 20:1 to give 335 mg of silylated title compound.A solution of 335 mg of the silylated intermediate in 6 ml of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was treated with 3.7 ml of a 1M solution of tetrabutyl ammonium fluoride in tetrahydrofuran. The reaction mixture was stirred for 22 1/2 hours under argon. It was then quenched with 5 ml of water, stirred for 30 minutes, and after evaporation of tetrahydrofuran and addition of 10 ml of water extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layers were washed with a water-brine mixture, dried and evaporated. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with hexane-ethyl acetate 1:2.5 to give 206 mg of title compound. [a]_D²⁵ + 23.5 (c 0.2%, EtOH); UV(EtOH) λ max: 206 nm (_E16720), 263 nm (₆14690); ¹H-NMR (CDCl_a): 6 0.68(s, 3H), 1.06 (d,J = 6.9 Hz,3H), 4.24 (brm, 1 H), 4.45 (brm, 1 H), 5.01 (s, 1 H), 5.34 (s, 1 H), 5.42 (d,J = 12.5 Hz, 1 H), 5.97 (dt, J = 12.5 and 7Hz, 1 H), 6.11 (d,J = 11.4Hz, 1 H), 6.38 (d,J = 11.4Hz, 1 H).

Example 13

25-Hydroxy-16,23Z-diene-26,27-hexafluorocholecalciferol

[0049] A solution of 452 mg of [3S-(3a, 5β,Z)]-2-[2-[2-methylene-5-[[(1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethylsilyl]oxy]-cyclohexylidene]ethyl]diphenyl phosphine oxide in 6 ml of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was cooled to -78 °C and treated with 0.625 ml of a 1.6M solution of n-butyl lithium in hexane dropwise under argon. After stirring for 5 minutes, the solution was treated with a solution of 276 mg of [3aR-[1 (R^*),3aa, 7aβ]]-3,3a,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-7a-methyl-1-[6,6,6-trifluoro-5-trimethylsilyloxy-1-methyl-5-(trifluoromethyl)-3Z-hexenyl]-4H-inden-4-one in 4 ml of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran dropwise over a 10 minute period. The reaction mixture was stirred at -78°C for 1 3/4 hours, and then quenched by addition of 10 ml of a 1:1 mixture of 2N Rochelle salt and 2N KHC0₃ solutions and allowed to warm up to room temperature. After addition of 30 ml more of the Rochelle salt/KHC0₃ solution, the resulting mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layers were washed with brine, dried and evaporated to dryness. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with hexane-ethyl acetate 10:1 to give 364 mg of silylated title compound.To a solution of 364 mg of silylated intermediate in 4.5 ml anhydrous tetrahydrofuran was added 3.9 ml of a 1M solution of tetrabutyl ammonium fluoride in tetrahydrofuran under argon. The resulting solution was stirred for 18 hours, and then quenched with addition of 5 ml water and stirring for 15 minutes. After addition of 25 ml brine, the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layers were washed with a mixture of water and brine, dried and evaporated to dryness. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with hexane-ethyl acetate 5:2 and HPLC with hexane-ethyl acetate 2:1. It gave 228 mg of the title compound as an amorphous solid. UV(EtOH) λ max: 204/205 nm (_E19800), 263 nm (17600); ¹H-NMR (CDCl_a): 6 0.68(s, 3H), 1.06 (d,J = 6.9 Hz,3H), 3.97 (brm, 1 H), 4.83 (brm, 1 H), 5.06 (s, 1 H), 5.37 (s, 1 H), 5.42 (d,J = 12.1 Hz, 1 H), 5.97 (dt, J = 12.1 and 7Hz, 1 H), 6.13 (d,J = 11 Hz, 1 H), 6.23 (d,J = 11 Hz, 1 H)

Example 14

[0050] 

Example 15

[0051] 

Claims

1. A compound of the formula

wherein R is hydrogen, hydroxy, or fluorine, X is H₂ or =CH₂, and the 23,24-double bond is E or Z.

2. The compound in accordance with Claim 1, wherein R is hydroxy or fluorine, and the 23,24-double bond is E.

3. The compounds in accordance with Claim 1, i.e. 26,26,26, 27,27,27-hexafluoro-1a,25-dihydroxy-16,23E-diene-cholecalciferol, 26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro-25-hydroxy-16,23E-diene-cholecalciferol, 26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro-1a-fluoro-25-hydroxy-16,23E-diene-cholecalciferol, 26,26,26,27,27,27-hexafluoro-1α,25-dihydroxy-16,23E-diene-19-nor-cholecalciferol.

4. A compound as in claim 1, 2 or 3, for use as therapeutically active compound, particularly for the treatment of hyperproliferative skin diseases, specially of psoriasis, of neoplastic diseases, specially of leukemia, of tumors, specially of breast tumors, or of sebaceous gland diseases, specially of acne.

5. A process for the manufacture of a compound of the formula I according to claim 1, which comprises removing the silyl protecting groups from a corresponding compound with silyl protected hydroxy groups.

6. A pharmaceutical composition, particularly for the treatment of hyperproliferative skin diseases, specially of psoriasis, of neoplastic diseases, specially of leukemia, of tumors, specially of breast tumors, or of sebaceous gland diseases, specially of acne, comprising an effective amount of a compound as in claim 1, 2 or 3 and an inert carrier.

7. The use of the compounds of formula I as in claim 1, for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of hyperproliferative skin diseases, specially of psoriasis, of neoplastic diseases, specially of leukemia, of tumors, specially of breast tumors, or of sebaceous gland diseases, specially of acne.